Feature: PGMA makes September 24 memorable day for Cabatuananons

PIA Press Release 2009/09/25

Feature: PGMA makes September 24 memorable day for Cabatuananons

Cabatuan, Iloilo (25 September) -- Mayor Ramon Yee led his more than 50,000 constituents in thanking President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for putting importance on the health needs of Filipinos by establishing Botika ng Barangay in the country and launching the 15,000th outlet in their municipality yesterday, September 24.

The milestone botika is located in Barangay Tiring whose Barangay Health Station also serves as a service area for 5 adjacent barangays of the municipality.

In his message, Yee said he is happy for his people that President Arroyo made the day important and memorable for Cabatuananons.

Tiring Punong Barangay Genovevo Montecado was euphoric that his humble barangay was chosen by President Arroyo as one of the sites of the Botika ng Barangay project in the country.

Punong Barangay Enriqueta Prayre from nearby Barangay Cadoldolan, which is included in the catchment service area of Tiring’s barangay health station, had these words about the project: "Nalipay gid ako kag ang akon mga pumuluyo sa barangay nga may Botika ng Barangay nga marapit kanamon." (My constituents and I are happy that there is a Botika ng Barangay near our barangay."}

President Arroyo flew in to Iloilo for the launching of the milestone botika ng barangay shortly after arriving in Manila from a foreign trip that took her to Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In a "Panayam sa Pangulo" with Iloilo broadcaster John Sapio during her visit to Cabatuan, the Chief Executive described her three-nation swing as very fruitful.

The botika serves as the distribution network the Half-Priced Medicines Program adopted by President Arroyo to make available to Filipinos cheaper but effective drugs and medicines in fulfillment of her State of the Nation Address (SONA) promise.

A total of 1,605 of this facility has already been established by the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas. Available in the botika are varied generic over-the-counter and at least 8 prescription drugs and medicines that are commonly bought by people.

Seventeen botikas have already been put up in the municipality of Cabatuan. (PIA 6-JSC)

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